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Psalms 11:1-7 “1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? 2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. 3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? 4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. 5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. 6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. 7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright” (KJV).

David a man after God’s own heart reminds me how important it is to talk with the Lord. Here we see him begin by acknowledging his trust in the Lord. He then follows immediately with questions about his current situation. The ever important question we all face during difficult times “why”. When facing difficult times have you ever hesitated to ask the Lord why?

I have to admit that I have hesitated to ask this question. I have felt that being a professing Christian means that I am supposed to be strong in any circumstance. But are we not supposed to be strong like Paul? After all, Paul faced many trials and difficult times and he seemed to remain strong. Recently I have been reading and studying through the book of Acts and have learned that Paul had moments like the one David describes here. In Acts 23 Paul stood before the Sanhedrin counsel, testifying and attempting to share the Gospel, but he was faced with a crowd that turned angry and desired to kill him. Paul was taken by the chief Captain and placed into prison in order to keep the mob from killing him; then the Lord spoke these words to Paul “Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness at Rome” (Act. 23:11, KJV).

The Lord spoke these words of encouragement to Paul for a reason, He did not tell Paul to be of good cheer because he was happy and joyful. The Lord gave him these words because he was in a very dark time, sitting in prison alone and there is no record of anyone coming to visit and encourage him.

David is obviously questioning a moment in life when he is being attacked by others, wondering why the Lord allows the wicked to have so much power over the righteous. My point and reminder here is that we all face moments of trials, darkness, opposition form others. David asks the famous “why Lord” question, one that I think we have all asked. But notice the most beautiful promise that David reminds us of. The Lord is in control, He is still on the Throne, and the Lord examines those who are good and always does what is good.

The Lord also loves to see His people do what is right. It may take years to learn and understand why the Lord allows us to face hard times and we may never know the “why” until we get to heaven. Once thing is clear, no matter what we face, He is right there next to us saying “Be of good cheer”.

Thank you Lord for the trials you have trusted me to face. Thank you for being by my side and reminding me to be cheerful despite the evil that surrounds me. It is through you that I can be of good cheer and continue serving you. May I always be a witness of your love, mercy, and grace!